MAXWELL, ROBERT D. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, 7th Infantry,
3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Besancon, France, 7 September
1944. Entered service at: Larimer County, Colo. Birth: Boise, Idaho. G.O.
No.: 24, 6 April 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 7 September 1944,
near Besancon, France. Technician 5th Grade Maxwell and 3 other soldiers,
armed only with .45 caliber automatic pistols, defended the battalion observation
post against an overwhelming onslaught by enemy infantrymen in approximately
platoon strength, supported by 20mm. flak and machinegun fire, who had
infiltrated through the battalion's forward companies and were attacking
the observation post with machinegun, machine pistol, and grenade fire
at ranges as close as 10 yards. Despite a hail of fire from automatic weapons
and grenade launchers, Technician 5th Grade Maxwell aggressively fought
off advancing enemy elements and, by his calmness, tenacity, and fortitude,
inspired his fellows to continue the unequal struggle. When an enemy hand
grenade was thrown in the midst of his squad, Technician 5th Grade Maxwell
unhesitatingly hurled himself squarely upon it, using his blanket and his
unprotected body to absorb the full force of the explosion. This act of
instantaneous heroism permanently maimed Technician 5th Grade Maxwell,
but saved the lives of his comrades in arms and facilitated maintenance
of vital military communications during the temporary withdrawal of the
battalion's forward headquarters.
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